NPR Cancels Talk Of The Nation; Adds Additional Hour Of Here and Now

NPR announced Friday morning that it will no longer produce the Monday-to-Thursday call-in show Talk of the Nation.

It will be replaced by Here and Now, a show produced in partnership with member station WBUR in Boston. Reported stories will be part of the show's format.

Neal Conan, Talk of the Nation's host, will depart after more than three decades with the network. His past positions include stints as bureau chief in New York and London, and as NPR's foreign editor, managing editor, and news director.

NPR executives said public radio has a glut of vibrant call-in shows involving national issues — and that they sought a news magazine with a mix of interviews and prepared stories to bridge the hours between Morning Edition and All Things Considered.

The network is also running a $7 million dollar deficit. Executives say Conan was welcome to stay with NPR and that they intend to offer jobs to every staffer working for Talk of the Nation.

Here and Now host Robin Young will be joined by Jeremy Hobson of Marketplace Morning Report — NPR reporters will be contributing work, as well.

Here and Now is on far fewer stations than Talk of the Nation — 182 versus 407 — but it has been growing. NPR executives hope stations that previously carried Talk of the Nation will pick up its replacement.

Science Friday, NPR's weekly science talk show that airs at the end of the workweek in the hours that Talk of the Nation broadcasts from Monday to Thursday, is to continue.

WOUB’s Director and General Manager Tom Hodson added, “We just heard this morning from NPR that it is disbanding Talk of the Nation as of June 30. We were shocked to hear this since Talk of the Nation has had a 21-year run. It will be replaced by a second hour of Here and Now, co-produced between NPR and WBUR in Boston. We will be reviewing our FM radio schedule and will announce our necessary changes as soon as possible.”